Today's students are increasingly involved in online activity, creating their own content, and participating in conversations. "Content creation by teenagers continues to grow, with 64% of online teenagers ages 12 to 17 engaging in at least one type of content creation, up from 57% of online teens in 2004" (Lenhart) . According to a University of Minnesota study from June 2008, "students who use social networking sites such as MySpace and Facebook, demonstrate creativity, learn technology and communication skills and come into contact with diverse viewpoints" (Boule). As educators, we can take advantage of teens' online interests and skills and focus them on the educational aspects of content creation through the use of wikis.
"A Vision of K-12 Students Today"
by B.J. Nesbitt
Success Stories
Many educators are finding that using wikis is helping their students become more successful.
Boule, Michelle. "Go with the flow: do your peers run the other way when you mention blogs and wikis? These talking points can help turn the tide." SchoolLibrary Journal 54.11 (Nov 2008): 50(3). Expanded Academic ASAP. Gale. DISCUS. 1 Dec. 2008 <http://find.galegroup.com/itx/start.do?odId=EAIM
Why Wikis?
Today's students are increasingly involved in online activity, creating their own content, and participating in conversations. "Content creation by teenagers continues to grow, with 64% of online teenagers ages 12 to 17 engaging in at least one type of content creation, up from 57% of online teens in 2004" (Lenhart) . According to a University of Minnesota study from June 2008, "students who use social networking sites such as MySpace and Facebook, demonstrate creativity, learn technology and communication skills and come into contact with diverse viewpoints" (Boule). As educators, we can take advantage of teens' online interests and skills and focus them on the educational aspects of content creation through the use of wikis.
"A Vision of K-12 Students Today"
by B.J. Nesbitt
Success Stories
Many educators are finding that using wikis is helping their students become more successful.
Karrie Brown's English III Course
Wiki Woman How a Web Tool Saved My Career
References
Boule, Michelle. "Go with the flow: do your peers run the other way when you mention blogs and wikis? These talking points can help turn the tide." School Library Journal 54.11 (Nov 2008): 50(3). Expanded Academic ASAP. Gale. DISCUS. 1 Dec. 2008 <http://find.galegroup.com/itx/start.do?odId=EAIM
Lenhart, Amanda, et al. "Teens and Social Meida." 17 Dec. 2007. Pew Internet and American Life Project. 1 Dec. 2008 <http://www.pewinternet.org/pdfs/PIP_Teens_Social_Media_Final.pdf
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Example Wikis